Lowering 1986 xj700 Maxim

Would there be a downside to dropping the front end by installing the forks so that the fork tubes stick up 1" from the top triple tree?

The upside would seem to be lower center of gravity, shorter wheelbase for quicker turning, and less fork length for less flex.

Thanks
petek_xj700

 

I would think that, feedback from the front would be reduced quite abit, as well as handleing. You may even consider changing your handle bars if you go through with this. It all depends whether or not you are willing to sacrifice a little handling for a marginally lower bike.

 

whoops? I read your thread wrong.It would be just the opposite of my first response.-sorry!

 

lowering the front end will quicken steering and diminish straight line stability.

You should do it with lowering blocks inside the forks instead of moving the tubes in the triples.

 

Would you mind explaining what lowering blocks are, what they do? I haven't heard of that.

 

just slide the forks up i have mine dropped almost 2 inches and i have been 125plus and nothing rattled or was unstable i like the quicker steering as i am used to riding a full on sport bike this is why im trying to find some 10 inch shocks for my 85 xj700 along with some type of either clubmans or clip ons

 

if you use your side stand it may not sit right lowered.

 

Good point Fuferman...after I chopped my X, the bike sat almost vertical on the sidestand. I had to have an inch cut off of it to have the bike leaning over at a better angle.

 

And if you use your centre-stand, bring a friend... or two!

 

Here's my solution to the sidestand issue. Lots of heating and bending and testfitting til it got to about the right angle.